In this article written in 2006 Mary Ann Kajewski looks at new technologies, and how they can be implemented into library services. Details of these technologies are provided along with links to library services already making use of these technologies.
It is important to discuss the technologies included in this article as it provides a way of getting information about these technologies out to library staff that otherwise may not be aware of them, may not know where to find them, or, how to best make use of them.
The article looks at a number of the different technologies available including blogs, wikis, RSS news feeds, podcasts and instant messaging. Use of these technologies allows library users access to the information they want, whenever they want it (Kajewski, 2006).
The first technology to be discussed is Blogs. Blog posts are able to be created either by one person or a group of people. Blogs can be used to promote the services and events offered by libraries. They can be used to inform users of change to services. Use of blogs can also allow users to post book reviews, and may also be a way of hosting online book discussions (Kajewski, 2006). The use of Blogs for online book discussions may be a way for users who are home bound to be able to join in and feel a sense of inclusion through an online community.
The next technology looked at is Wiki. Wikis are a shared space for combined content contribution and editing. It is important to keep in mind when using Wikis that information contained, can be edited or deleted at any time by another user. Any one is able to create new pages, or change the content on existing pages (Kajewski, 2006).
RSS feeds allow users to receive content from sources such as news organisations, blogs, or other web pages where content is regularly updated. RSS feeds can allow library users to be kept up to date with the happenings at your library without them needing to access your library website. RSS feeds could be used as promotional tools for upcoming events (Kajewski, 2006). In his article “New library, new technologies, new services” Helling (2006) tells us of the way the Crawfordsville District Public Library have combined blogging and RSS feeds to better promote the services of the library to their community.
Podcast technology is audio programs available over the internet, which allow users to download content and listen to it at their convenience. Libraries can make use of podcasts by using them as training tools, podcasting author talks is another idea, or having library tours available as podcasts (Kajewski, 2006).
Helling (2006) tells us of the new technologies embraced by the Crawfordsville District Public Library. This article tells us the use of the technology, and provides valuable details such as problems encountered, the benefits of, and the strategies for implementation. This library uses a number of technologies discussed in the Kajewski (2006) article including Blogs, RSS feeds and instant messaging.
The author provides a good general overview of a number of new technologies that libraries may benefit from. Examples are provided that give ideas as to how these technologies may be useful to library services, and provides examples of libraries already using these services. This allows the reader to see how this technology is already being utilised.
In some areas the details of what the technology is, and how it works, or how it may be useful to libraries are brief. This does not give the reader much information to assist them when making decisions as to the usefulness of theses technologies. The article does not seem to identify issues that may cause problems with these technologies, while it is good to show the positives of the technologies, it would have been good to see what some of the possible issues are.
Reference List
Helling, B. (2006). New library, new technologies, new services. Retrieved September 5, 2008
from Crawfordsville District Public Library Web site:
http://www.cdpl.lib.in.us/CIL2006/cil2006helling-text.html
Kajewski, M. A. (2006). Emerging technologies changing our service delivery models [Electronic Version]. The electronic library, 25(4), 420-429.
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